Direct-attach cable data transmission visual indicator system

ABSTRACT

A direct-attach cable data transmission visual indicator system includes a networking device having a port, and a direct-attach cable that includes a direct-attach cable connector that is located on an end of the direct-attach cable and that couples the direct-attach cable to the port, and a visual indicator device that is included on the direct-attach cable adjacent to and spaced apart from the direct-attach cable connector. The visual indicator device receives, from the networking device via the port and the direct-attach cable connector, data transmission information that is associated with the transmission of data via the port, and provides a visual indication that is based on the first data transmission information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/218,525, attorney docket no. 123304.01, filed onMar. 31, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information handlingsystems, and more particularly to providing visual indications of datatransmission by information handling system via a direct-attach cable.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Information handling systems such as, for example, switch devices andother networking devices known in the art, are utilized to transmit datato connected devices. In many situations, it is desirable to providevisual indications of the data transmissions by switch devices, andconventionally switch devices have included one or more Light EmittingDevices (LEDs) adjacent each of their ports, with those LED(s)illuminating to provide visual indications of the data being transmittedvia their adjacent port (e.g., visual indications of the characteristicsof the link provided via that port, visual indications ofcharacteristics of the data transmission speed, etc.). However,conventional switch devices may also allow direct-attach cables (e.g.,passive Direct-Attach Copper (DAC) cables, active DAC cables, ActiveOptical Cables (AOCs), and/or other direct-attach cables known in theart) to be coupled the ports on the switch device via theirdirect-attach cable connectors. The connection of direct-attach cablesto switch devices can raise issues with regard to the visual indicationof data transmission by the switch device.

For example, conventionally, switch devices typically include aplurality of adjacent ports (e.g., the Z9100-ON switch platformavailable from the DELL® Inc. of Round Rock, Tex., United Statesincludes a 100 GbE switch device with 32 ports, a 50 GbE switch devicewith 64 ports, a 40 GbE switch device with 32 ports, a 25 GbE switchdeice with 128 ports, and a 10 GbE switch device with 128+2 ports thatutilizes “breakout” cables.) In most situations, many (if not all) ofthe ports on the switch device will be connected to server devices,storage systems, and/or other equipment known in the art (e.g., in arack) via the direct-attach cables discussed above that can obscurevisual access to the LEDs adjacent the ports on the switch devices.While cable management techniques can be utilized to limit the obscuringof LEDs adjacent ports on the switch device, it is often the case thateven cable management techniques are unable to address the obscuring ofall the LEDs on the switch device, and in testing situations such cablemanagement techniques are often not utilized. Furthermore, thedirect-attach cable connectors on the direct-attach cables discussedabove are provided with integrated release mechanisms that also operateto obstruct the view of the LEDs adjacent their connected port, andinclude cabling that is thicker than non-direct-attach cables and thatoperates to obscure the view of the LEDs adjacent the ports on theswitch device as well. Finally, a current trend with switch devices isto remove the LEDs discussed above, which eliminates the ability toprovide visual indications of the data transmission by the switchdevice.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a direct-attach cablesystem that addresses the issues discussed above.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a direct-attach cable includes a firstdirect-attach cable connector that is located on a first end of thedirect-attach cable and that is configured to couple the direct-attachcable to a port on a networking device; and a first visual indicatordevice that is included on the direct-attach cable adjacent to andspaced apart from the first direct-attach cable connector, wherein thefirst visual indicator device is configured to: receive, from thenetworking device via the port and the first direct-attach cableconnector when the first direct-attach cable connector is connected tothe port on the networking device, first data transmission informationthat is associated with the transmission of data via the port; andprovide a visual indication that is based on the first data transmissioninformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an InformationHandling System (IHS).

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a networkedsystem that may utilize the direct-attach cable data transmission visualindicator system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a networkingdevice that may be provided in the networked system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the networkingdevice of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the networkingdevice of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the networkingdevice of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the networkingdevice of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a direct-attachcable that may be provided according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a direct-attachcable that may be provided according to the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8A is a schematic side view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable connector that may be provided on the direct-attachcable of FIG. 6 or 7.

FIG. 8B is a schematic top view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable connector that may be provided on the direct-attachcable of FIG. 6 or 7.

FIG. 8C is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable connector that may be provided on the direct-attachcable of FIG. 6 or 7.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forproviding data transmission visual indications via a direct-attachcable.

FIG. 10A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thenetworking device of FIGS. 4A and 4B during the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C coupled to the networkingdevice of FIG. 10A during the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C coupled to the networkingdevice of FIG. 10A during the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thenetworking device of FIGS. A and 5B during the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C coupled to the networkingdevice of FIG. 11A during the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C coupled to the networkingdevice of FIG. 11A during the method of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12A is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C operating during the methodof FIG. 9.

FIG. 12B is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C operating during the methodof FIG. 9.

FIG. 12C is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C operating during the methodof FIG. 9.

FIG. 12D is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable connector of FIGS. 8A-8C operating during the methodof FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable that may be provided according to the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable that may be provided according to the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable that may be provided according to the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of adirect-attach cable that may be provided according to the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method forproviding data transmission visual indications via a direct-attachcable.

FIG. 18A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thenetworking device of FIGS. 4A and 4B during the method of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable of FIG. 13 coupled to the networking device of FIG.18A during the method of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable of FIG. 13 coupled to the networking device of FIG.18A during the method of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thenetworking device of FIGS. 5A and 5B during the method of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19B is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable of FIG. 13 coupled to the networking device of FIG.19A during the method of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable of FIG. 13 coupled to the networking device of FIG.19A during the method of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of thedirect-attach cable of FIG. 13 coupled to the networking device of FIG.18A and having its visual indicator device providing a visual indicationduring the method of FIG. 17

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive,retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest,detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personalcomputer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device(e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g.,blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include random accessmemory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/orother types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of theinformation handling system may include one or more disk drives, one ormore network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse,touchscreen and/or a video display. The information handling system mayalso include one or more buses operable to transmit communicationsbetween the various hardware components.

In one embodiment, IHS 100, FIG. 1, includes a processor 102, which isconnected to a bus 104. Bus 104 serves as a connection between processor102 and other components of IHS 100. An input device 106 is coupled toprocessor 102 to provide input to processor 102. Examples of inputdevices may include keyboards, touchscreens, pointing devices such asmouses, trackballs, and trackpads, and/or a variety of other inputdevices known in the art. Programs and data are stored on a mass storagedevice 108, which is coupled to processor 102. Examples of mass storagedevices may include hard discs, optical disks, magneto-optical discs,solid-state storage devices, and/or a variety of other mass storagedevices known in the art. IHS 100 further includes a display 110, whichis coupled to processor 102 by a video controller 112. A system memory114 is coupled to processor 102 to provide the processor with faststorage to facilitate execution of computer programs by processor 102.Examples of system memory may include random access memory (RAM) devicessuch as dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), solid state memorydevices, and/or a variety of other memory devices known in the art. Inan embodiment, a chassis 116 houses some or all of the components of IHS100. It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuitscan be deployed between the components described above and processor 102to facilitate interconnection between the components and the processor102.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an embodiment of a networked system 200 isillustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the networked system 200includes a networking device 202. In an embodiment, the networkingdevice 202 may be provided by the IHS 100 discussed above with referenceto FIG. 1, and/or may include some or all of the components of the IHS100, and in the specific examples below is described as being providedby a switch device. However, while illustrated and discussed as beingprovided by a switch device, one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure will recognize that the networking deviceprovided in the networked system 200 may include other computing devicesthat may be configured to operate similarly as the networking device 202discussed below. As also illustrated in FIG. 2, a transceiver device 204may be coupled to the networking device 202 via a port on the networkingdevice 202, and may be provided by a variety of transceiver devices thatwould be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure.

The networked system 200 also includes one or more connected devices204. In an embodiment, the connected device(s) 204 may be provided bythe IHS 100 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, and/or may includesome or all of the components of the IHS 100, and in the specificexamples below are described as being provided by server devices.However, while illustrated and discussed as being provided by serverdevices, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosurewill recognize that connected device(s) provided in the networked system200 may include other computing devices (e.g., storage systems) that maybe configured to operate similarly as the connected device(s) 204discussed below.

In the illustrated embodiment, a direct-attach cable 206 couples thenetworking device 202 to the connected device(s) 204, and includes adirect-attach cable connector 206 a that is connected to the networkingdevice 202, and one or more direct-attach cable connectors 206 b thatare connected to the connected device(s) 204. For example, thedirect-attach cable may be provided by a passive Direct-Attach Copper(DAC) cable (which may provide a direct connection between thedirect-attach cable connectors 206 a and 206 b and may transmit data viacopper wire), an active DAC cable (which may provide electronics withinthe direct-attach cable connectors 206 a and 206 b and may transmit datavia copper wire), an Active Optical Cable (AOC) (which may provideelectronics and optics within the direct-attach cable connectors 206 aand 206 b and may transmit data via optical fiber), and/or otherdirect-attach cables that would be apparent to one of skill in the artin possession of the present disclosure.

As discussed below, in some examples the direct-attach cable 206 mayinclude a single direct-attach cable connector 206 b that couples thenetworking device 202 to a single connected device 204, while in otherexamples the direct-attach cable 206 may be a “breakout cable” thatincludes a plurality of direct-attach cable connectors 206 b that couplethe networking device 202 to a plurality of connected devices 204 (e.g.,four connected devices in the examples below), and one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how theteachings of the present disclosure may be applied to any of a varietyof direct-attach cable configurations while remaining within the scopeof the present disclosure as well. However, while a specific networkedsystem 200 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the artin possession of the present disclosure will recognize that thedirect-attach cable data transmission visual indicator system of thepresent disclosure may include a variety of components and componentconfigurations while remaining within the scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a networking device 300 isillustrated that may provide the networking device 202 discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 2. As such, the networking device 300 may beprovided by the IHS 100 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 and/ormay include some or all of the components of the IHS 100, and in thespecific examples below is described as a switch device. However, whileillustrated and discussed as being provided by a switch device, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognizethat the functionality of the networking device 300 discussed below maybe provided by other computing devices that are configured to operatesimilarly as the networking device 300 discussed below. In theillustrated embodiment, the networking device 300 includes a chassis 302that houses the components of the networking device 300, only some ofwhich are illustrated and discussed below. For example, the chassis 302may house a processing system (not illustrated, but which may includethe processor 102 discussed above with reference to FIG. 1) and a memorysystem (not illustrated, but which may include the memory 114 discussedabove with reference to FIG. 1) that is coupled to the processing systemand that includes instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, cause the processing system to provide a networking engine 304that is configured to perform the functionality of the networkingengines and/or networking devices discussed below.

The chassis 302 may also house a storage system (not illustrated, butwhich may include the storage 108 discussed above with reference toFIG. 1) that is coupled to the networking engine 304 (e.g., via acoupling between the storage system and the processing system) and thatincludes a networking database 306 that is configured to store any ofthe information utilized by the networking engine 304 discussed below.The chassis 302 may also house a communication system 308 that iscoupled to the networking engine 304 (e.g., via a coupling between thecommunication system 308 and the processing system) and that may beprovided by a Network Interface Controller (NIC), wireless communicationsystems (e.g., BLUETOOTH®, Near Field Communication (NFC) components,WiFi components, etc.), and/or any other communication components thatwould be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thecommunication system 308 includes a plurality of port systems 308 a, 308b, 308 c, and up to 308 d, as well as a plurality of port systems 310 a,310 b, 310 c, and up to 310 d, discussed in further detail below.However, while a specific networking device 300 has been illustrated,one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure willrecognize that networking devices (or other devices operating accordingto the teachings of the present disclosure in a manner similar to thatdescribed below for the networking device 300) may include a variety ofcomponents and/or component configurations for providing conventionalnetworking device functionality, as well as the functionality discussedbelow, while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure aswell.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a specific embodiment of thenetworking device 300 discussed above with reference to FIG. 3 isillustrated. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the portsystems 308 a-308 d and 310 a-310 d include visual indicator devicesalong with ports. For example, FIG. 4A illustrate the port system 308 aincluding a port 400 and a visual indicator device that is locatedadjacent that port 400 and that includes LEDs 402 a, 402 b, 402 c, and402 d; the port system 308 b including a port 404 and a visual indicatordevice that is located adjacent that port 404 and that includes LEDs 406a, 406 b, 406 c, and 406 d; the port system 308 c including a port 408and a visual indicator device that is located adjacent that port 408 andthat includes LEDs 410 a, 410 b, 410 c, and 410 d; and the port system308 d including a port 412 and a visual indicator device that is locatedadjacent that port 412 and that includes LEDs 414 a, 414 b, 414 c, and414 d; with the port systems 308 a-308 d provided in a first/upper rowon the networking device 300. FIG. 4A also illustrates the port system310 a including a port 416 and a visual indicator device that is locatedadjacent that port 416 and that includes LEDs 418 a, 418 b, 418 c, and418 d; the port system 310 b including a port 420 and a visual indicatordevice that is located adjacent that port 420 and that includes LEDs 422a, 422 b, 422 c, and 422 d; the port system 310 c including a port 424and a visual indicator device that is located adjacent that port 424 andthat includes LEDs 426 a, 426 b, 426 c, and 426 d; and the port system310 d including a port 428 and a visual indicator device that is locatedadjacent that port 428 and that includes LEDs 430 a, 430 b, 430 c, and430 d; with the port systems 310 a-310 d provided in a second/lower rowon the networking device 300.

Furthermore, FIG. 4B illustrates how the networking device 300 mayinclude a networking processing system 430 (e.g., a switch ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)) and a Complex Programmable LogicDevice (CPLD) 432 that are coupled together, and that may provide aportion of the networking engine 304 and/or the communication system 308discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. A register 434 (e.g., aserial-to-parallel shift register) is coupled to the CPLD 432 and to theLEDs 402 a-402 d that provide the visual indicator device for the portsystem 308 a (e.g., via 8 pins on the register 434 coupled to the LEDs402 a-402 d), and a register 435 (e.g., a serial-to-parallel shiftregister) is coupled to the CPLD 432 and to the LEDs 406 a-406 d thatprovide the visual indicator device for the port system 308 b (e.g., viaeight pins on the register 435 coupled to the LEDs 406 a-406 d). As willbe recognized by one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure, the embodiment illustrated and described with reference toFIG. 4B provides an example a multi-color LED system in which eachregister 434 and 435 includes two of its pins coupled to each respectiveLED to enable that LED to illuminate green (via the assertion of thefirst pin), red (via the assertion of the second pin), and amber (viathe assertion of both the first pin and the second pin). However, whilea specific multi-color LED system is described, one of skill in the artin possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that other LEDsystems will fall within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432,and/or the register 434 may be configured to generate and transmit datatransmission information associated with the transmission of data viathe port 400 in the port system 308 a to the LEDs 402 a-402 d thatprovide the visual indicator device for the port system 308 a in orderto allow those LEDs 402 a-402 d to provide visual indications associatedwith those data transmissions (e.g., visual indications of thecharacteristics of the link provided via that port, visual indicationsof characteristics of the data transmission speed, etc.), and thus mayinclude any of a variety of conventional port LED components that wouldbe apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure. As such, the data transmission information may be configuredto indicate the status of a port/physical link between connected devicesvia the LEDs 402 a-402 d regardless of whether data is currently beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 402 a-402 dmay provide a “solid” illumination to indicate a port/physical link is“up” or available”), the status of port/data transmissions betweenconnected devices via the LEDs 402 a-402 d when data is beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 402 a-402 dmay provide a “blinking” illumination to indicate data is beingtransmitted), and as well any other data transmission characteristicsthat would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure.

Similarly, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/orthe register 435 may be configured to generate and transmit datatransmission information associated with the transmission of data viathe port 404 in the port system 308 b to the LEDs 406 a-406 d thatprovide the visual indicator device for the port system 308 b in orderto allow those LEDs 406 a-406 d to provide visual indications associatedwith those data transmissions (e.g., visual indications of thecharacteristics of the link provided via that port, visual indicationsof characteristics of the data transmission speed, etc.), and thus mayinclude any of a variety of conventional port LED components that wouldbe apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure. As such, the data transmission information may be configuredto indicate the status of a port/physical link between connected devicesvia the LEDs 406 a-406 d regardless of whether data is currently beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 406 a-406 dmay provide a “solid” illumination to indicate a port/physical link is“up” or available”), the status of port/data transmissions betweenconnected devices via the LEDs 406 a-406 d when data is beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 406 a-406 dmay provide a “blinking” illumination to indicate data is beingtransmitted), and as well any other data transmission characteristicsthat would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure.

In addition, a register 436 (e.g., a serial-to-parallel shift register)is coupled to the CPLD 432 and the port 400 in the port system 308 a(e.g., via eight pins on the register 436 coupled to the port 400), anda register 437 (e.g., a serial-to-parallel shift register) is coupled tothe CPLD 432 and the port 404 in the port system 308 b (e.g., via eightpins on the register 437 coupled to the port 404). Similarly asdiscussed above, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B provides anexample a multi-color LED system in which each register 436 and 437includes two of its pins that are configured to couple to respectiveLED(s) on a direct-attach cable connector to enable those LED(s) toilluminate green (via the assertion of the first pin), red (via theassertion of the second pin), and amber (via the assertion of both thefirst pin and the second pin). However, while a specific multi-color LEDsystem is described, one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will appreciate that other LED systems will fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure as well.

As discussed below, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432,and/or the register 436 may be configured to duplicate data transmissioninformation that is associated with the transmission of data via theport 400 in the port system 308 a and that is provided via the register434 to the LEDs 402 a-402 d, and provide that data transmissioninformation via the port 400 to a direct-attach cable connector that iscoupled to the port 400, discussed in further detail below. Similarly,the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register437 may be configured to duplicate data transmission information that isassociated with the transmission of data via the port 404 in the portsystem 308 b and that is provided via the register 435 to the LEDs 406a-406 d, and provide that data transmission information via the port 404to a direct-attach cable connector that is coupled to the port 404,discussed in further detail below.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, a respective pair of registers that are similar tothe registers 434/436 and 435/437 may be provided for each port systemon the networking device 300. As such, FIG. 4B illustrates a register438 (e.g., a serial-to-parallel shift register) coupled to the CPLD 432and to the LEDs 426 a-426 d that provide the visual indicator device forthe port system 310 c (e.g., via eight pins on the register 438 coupledto the LEDs 426 a-426 d), and a register 439 (e.g., a serial-to-parallelshift register) coupled to the CPLD 432 and to the LEDs 430 a-430 a thatprovide the visual indicator device for the port system 310 d (e.g., viaeight pins on the register 439 coupled to the LEDs 430 a-430 d). As willbe appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/orthe register 438 may be configured to generate and transmit datatransmission information associated with the transmission of data viathe port 424 in the port system 310 c to the LEDs 426 a-426 d thatprovide the visual indicator device for the port system 310 c in orderto allow those LEDs 426 a-426 d to provide visual indications associatedwith those data transmissions (e.g., visual indications of thecharacteristics of the link provided via that port, visual indicationsof characteristics of the data transmission speed, etc.), and thus mayinclude any of a variety of conventional port LED components that wouldbe apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure. As such, the data transmission information may be configuredto indicate the status of a port/physical link between connected devicesvia the LEDs 426 a-426 d regardless of whether data is currently beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 426 a-426 dmay provide a “solid” illumination to indicate a port/physical link is“up” or available”), the status of port/data transmissions betweenconnected devices via the LEDs 426 a-426 d when data is beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 426 a-426 dmay provide a “blinking” illumination to indicate data is beingtransmitted), and as well any other data transmission characteristicsthat would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure.

Similarly, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/orthe register 439 may be configured to generate and transmit datatransmission information associated with the transmission of data viathe port 428 in the port system 310 d to the LEDs 430 a-430 d thatprovide the visual indicator device for the port system 310 d in orderto allow those LEDs 430 a-430 d to provide visual indications associatedwith those data transmissions (e.g., visual indications of thecharacteristics of the link provided via that port, visual indicationsof characteristics of the data transmission speed, etc.), and thus mayinclude any of a variety of conventional port LED components that wouldbe apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure. As such, the data transmission information may be configuredto indicate the status of a port/physical link between connected devicesvia the LEDs 430 a-430 d regardless of whether data is currently beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 430 a-430 dmay provide a “solid” illumination to indicate a port/physical link is“up” or available”), the status of port/data transmissions betweenconnected devices via the LEDs 430 a-430 d when data is beingtransmitted between those connected devices (e.g., the LEDs 430 a-430 dmay provide a “blinking” illumination to indicate data is beingtransmitted), and as well any other data transmission characteristicsthat would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure.

In addition, a register 440 (e.g., a serial-to-parallel shift register)is coupled to the CPLD 432 and the port 424 in the port system 310 c(e.g., via eight pins on the register 440 coupled to the port 424), anda register 441 (e.g., a serial-to-parallel shift register) is coupled tothe CPLD 432 and the port 428 in the port system 310 d (e.g., via eightpins on the register 440 coupled to the port 428). As discussed below,the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register440 may be configured to duplicate data transmission information that isassociated with the transmission of data via the port 424 in the portsystem 310 c and that is provided via the register 438 to the LEDs 426a-426 d, and provide that data transmission information via the port 424to a direct-attach cable connector that is coupled to the port 424,discussed in further detail below. Similarly, the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 441 may be configured toduplicate data transmission information that is associated with thetransmission of data via the port 428 in the port system 310 d and thatis provided via the register 439 to the LEDs 430 a-430 d, and providethat data transmission information via the port 428 to a direct-attachcable connector that is coupled to the port 428, discussed in furtherdetail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a specific embodiment of thenetworking device 300 discussed above with reference to FIG. 3 isillustrated. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the portsystems 308 a-308 d and 310 a-310 d include ports but no visualindicator devices. For example, FIG. 5A illustrate the port system 308 aincluding a port 500, the port system 308 b including a port 502, theport system 308 c including a port 504, and the port system 308 dincluding a port 506, with the port systems 308 a-308 d provided in afirst/upper row on the networking device 300. FIG. 5A also illustratesthe port system 310 a including a port 508, the port system 310 bincluding a port 510, the port system 310 c including a port 512, andthe port system 310 d including a port 514, with the port systems 310a-310 d provided in a second/lower row on the networking device 300.

Furthermore, FIG. 5B illustrates how the networking device 300 mayinclude a networking processing system 516 (e.g., a switch ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)) and a Complex Programmable LogicDevice (CPLD) 518 that are coupled together, and that may provide aportion of the networking engine 304 and/or the communication system 308discussed above with reference to FIG. 3. A register 520 (e.g., aserial-to-parallel shift register) is coupled to the CPLD 432 and to theport 500 in the port system 308 a (e.g., via eight pins on the register520 coupled to the port 500), and a register 521 (e.g., aserial-to-parallel shift register) is coupled to the CPLD 432 and theport 502 in the port system 308 b (e.g., via eight pins on the register521 coupled to the port 500). As will be recognized by one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure, the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5B provides an example a multi-color LED system inwhich each register 520 and 521 includes two of its pins that areconfigured to couple to a respective LED(s) on a direct-attach cableconnector to enable those LED(s) to illuminate green (via the assertionof the first pin), red (via the assertion of the second pin), and amber(via the assertion of both the first pin and the second pin). However,while a specific multi-color LED system is described, one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate thatother LED systems will fall within the scope of the present disclosureas well.

As discussed below, the networking processing system 516, the CPLD 518,and/or the register 520 may be configured to generate and transmit datatransmission information that is associated with the transmission ofdata via the port 500 in the port system 308 a, and provide that datatransmission information via the port 500 to a direct-attach cableconnector that is coupled to the port 500, discussed in further detailbelow. Similarly, the networking processing system 516, the CPLD 518,and/or the register 521 may be configured to generate and transmit datatransmission information that is associated with the transmission ofdata via the port 502 in the port system 308 b, and provide that datatransmission information via the port 502 to a direct-attach cableconnector that is coupled to the port 502, discussed in further detailbelow.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, a respective register that is similar to theregisters 520 or 521 may be provided for each port system on thenetworking device 300. As such, FIG. 5B illustrates a register 522(e.g., a serial-to-parallel shift register) coupled to the CPLD 432 andthe port 512 in the port system 310 c (e.g., via eight pins on theregister 522 coupled to the port 512), and a register 522 (e.g., aserial-to-parallel shift register) coupled to the CPLD 432 and the port514 in the port system 310 d (e.g., via eight pins on the register 522coupled to the port 514). As discussed below, the networking processingsystem 516, the CPLD 518, and/or the register 522 may be configured togenerate and transmit data transmission information that is associatedwith the transmission of data via the port 512 in the port system 310 b,and provide that data transmission information via the port 512 to adirect-attach cable connector that is coupled to the port 512, discussedin further detail below. Similarly, the networking processing system516, the CPLD 518, and/or the register 523 may be configured to generateand transmit data transmission information that is associated with thetransmission of data via the port 514 in the port system 310 d, andprovide that data transmission information via the port 514 to adirect-attach cable connector that is coupled to the port 514, discussedin further detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a direct-attach cable 600 isillustrated that may provide the direct-attach cable 206 discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 2. As such, the direct-attach cable 600 may beprovided by a passive DAC cable, an active DAC cable, an AOC, and/or anyother direct-attach cable that would be apparent to one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure. In the illustratedembodiment, the direct-attach cable 600 includes direct-attach cabling602 having a first direct-attach cable connector 604 located on a firstend of the direct-attach cabling 602, and a second direct-attach cableconnector 606 located on a second end of the direct-attach cabling 602that is opposite the first end. As will be appreciated by one of skillin the art in possession of the present disclosure, the direct-attachcable 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 provides an example of a direct-attachcable that includes a single direct-attach cable connector 606 that maybe utilized to couple the networking device 202 to a single connecteddevice 204.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a direct-attach cable 700 isillustrated that may provide the direct-attach cable 206 discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 2. As such, the direct-attach cable 700 may beprovided by a passive DAC cable, an active DAC cable, an AOC, and/or anyother direct-attach cable that would be apparent to one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure. In the illustratedembodiment, the direct-attach cable 700 includes direct-attach cabling702 including a breakout section 702 a, a first direct-attach cableconnector 704 located on a first end of the direct-attach cabling 702,and a plurality of second direct-attach cable connectors 706 a, 706 b,706 c, and 706 d located on respective second ends of the direct-attachcabling 702 that are opposite the first end and that are provided onrespective breakout cabling included in the breakout section 702 a ofthe direct-attach cabling 702. As will be appreciated by one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure, the direct-attach cable700 illustrated in FIG. 7 provides an example of a direct-attach cablethat may be a “breakout cable” that includes a plurality ofdirect-attach cable connectors that may be utilized to couple thenetworking device 202 to a plurality of connected devices 204 (e.g.,four connected devices in the examples below). However, while twospecific direct-attach cables are described herein, one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how otherdirect-attach cables may benefit from the teachings of the presentdisclosure and thus will fall within its scope as well.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, an embodiment of a direct-attachcable connector system 800 is illustrated that is discussed as providingthe direct-attach cable connectors 206 a, 604, and/or 704 discussedabove, but that one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will appreciate may provide the direct-attach cableconnectors 206 b, 606, 706 a, 706 b, 706 c, and/or 706 c in someembodiments as well. In the illustrated embodiment, the direct-attachcable connector system 800 includes direct-attach cabling 802, and adirect-attach cable connector 804 that is located on an end of thatdirect-attach cabling 802. As illustrated, the direct-attach cableconnector 804 includes a top surface 804 a, a bottom surface 804 b thatis located opposite the direct-attach cable connector 804 from the topsurface 804 a, a front surface 804 c that extends between the topsurface 804 a and the bottom surface 804 b, and a pair of side surface804 d and 804 e that are located opposite the direct-attach cableconnector 804 from each other and that each extend between the topsurface 804 a, the bottom surface 804 b, and the front surface 804 c.While not illustrated or described in detail, one of skill in the art inpossession of the present disclosure will recognize that the frontsurface 804 c of the direct-attach cable connector 804 may include avariety of connector components that are configured to connect to theports and/or other networking device coupling subsystems known in theart.

In some embodiments, the direct-attach cable connector system 800 mayprovide a plurality of visual indicator devices on the direct-attachcable connector 804. In the examples illustrated and described below, avisual indicator device 806 is included on the top surface 804 a of thedirect-attach cable connector 804, a visual indicator device 808 a/808 bis included on the side surfaces 806 d and 806 e of the direct-attachcable connector 804, and a visual indicator device 810 is included onthe bottom surface 804 b of the direct-attach cable connector 804. Inthe specific examples provided herein, each of the visual indicatordevices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 provide four LEDs (i.e., with theindicator device 806 providing four adjacent LEDs on the top surface 804a of the direct-attach cable connector 804, the indicator device 808a/808 b providing two adjacent LEDs on the side surface 804 d of thedirect-attach cable connector 804 and two adjacent LEDs on the sidesurface 804 e of the direct-attach cable connector 804, and theindicator device 810 providing four adjacent LEDs on the bottom surface804 c of the direct-attach cable connector 804. However, while eachindicator device 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cableconnector 804 is illustrated and discussed as including four LEDs, oneof skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure willappreciate that different types and numbers of visual indicators willfall within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possessionof the present disclosure will recognize that each of the visualindicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 may include connections,couplings, wiring, traces, and/or other subsystems that one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure would recognize ascoupling those visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 to thedirect-attach cable connector 804 in a manner that allows them toreceive the data transmission information transmitted by the networkingdevice 202/300 via its ports as discussed below. Furthermore, whilemultiple visual indicator devices are illustrated and described as beingincluded on the direct-attach cable connector 804, one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that thedirect-attach cable connector 804 may include only one of the visualindicator devices illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, only two the visualindicator devices illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, or more than the threevisual indicator devices illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C. For example, theinventors of the present disclosure have determined that many of thebenefits of the direct-attach cable data transmission indicator systemdescribed herein may be realized utilizing only the visual indicatordevice 808 a/808 b illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, although embodiments thatutilize only the visual indicator device 806 or 810, or embodiments thatutilize the two of the three visual indicator devices illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, will fall within the scope of the present disclosure aswell. Thus, while a specific embodiment of a direct-attach cableconnector system 800 is illustrated and described, a wide variety ofdifferent components and/or component configurations for thedirect-attach cable connector system 800 are envisioned as fallingwithin the scope of the present disclosure as well.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an embodiment of a method 900 for providingdata transmission visual indications via a direct-attach cable isillustrated. As discussed below, the systems and methods of the presentdisclosure provide a direct-attach cable connector on a direct-attachcable that includes one or more visual indicator devices that arevisible when the direct-attach cable connector is coupled to a port,which allows the visual indicator device(s) to receive data transmissioninformation via that port and provide corresponding visual indicationsof data transmission via that port. For example, the direct-attach cabledata transmission visual indicator system includes a networking devicehaving a port. A direct-attach cable includes a direct-attach cableconnector that is located on an end of the direct-attach cable and thatcouples the direct-attach cable to the port. A visual indicator deviceis included on the direct-attach cable connector and is configured toreceive data transmission information from the networking device via theport and the direct-attach cable connector, with the data transmissioninformation associated with the transmission of data via the port. Thevisual indicator device then provides a visual indication that is basedon the data transmission information. As such, in situations where thenetworking device does not provide visual indicator device(s) adjacentits port, or when the visual indicator device(s) adjacent ports on thenetworking device are obscured by direct-attach cable(s) or other visualobstructions, a user will still be able to view the visual indicationsprovided by the visual indicator device(s) on the direct-attach cableconnector.

The method 900 begins at block 902 where a direct-attach cable iscoupled to a networking device and connected device(s). With referenceto FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, in an embodiment of block 902, adirect-attach cable connector 1000 on a first direct-attach cable may beconnected to the port 400 in the port system 308 a, a direct-attachcable connector 1002 on a second direct-attach cable may be connected tothe port 404 in the port system 308 b, a direct-attach cable connector1004 on a third direct-attach cable may be connected to the port 416 inthe port system 310 a, and a direct-attach cable connector 1006 on afourth direct-attach cable may be connected to the port 420 in the portsystem 310 b. As such, FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate the direct-attachcable connector 804/1000 included on the first direct-attach cableconnected to the port 400 in the port system 308 a, FIGS. 10B and 10Cillustrate the direct-attach cable connector 804/1002 included on thesecond direct-attach cable connected to the port 404 in the port system308 b, FIG. 10C illustrates the direct-attach cable connector 804/1004included on the third direct-attach cable connected to the port 416 onthe port system 310 a, and FIG. 10C illustrates the direct-attach cableconnector 804/1006 included on the fourth direct-attach cable connectedto the port 420 on the port system 310 b.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, FIG. 10C illustrates how the direct-attach cableconnectors 804/1000/1002 included on the first and second direct-attachcables connect to the ports 400 and 404, respectively, on the portssystems 308 a and 308 b, respectively, in a first orientation, and howthe direct-attach cable connectors 804/1004/1006 included on the thirdand fourth direct-attach cables connect to the ports 416 and 420,respectively, on the port systems 310 a and 310 b, respectively, in asecond orientation that is inverted relative to the first orientation.However, while specific connection orientations are provided, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciatethat a variety of direct-attach cable connector orientations will fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure as well. Furthermore, FIG.10C illustrates how the direct-attach cabling 802 on the first, second,third, and fourth direct-attach cables may be routed in a manner thatobscures at least a portion of the visual indicator devices included inthe port systems 308 a, 308 b, 310 a, and 310 b (e.g., the LEDs 402a-402 d, 406 a-406 d, 418 a-418 d, and 422 a-422 d in the illustratedexample), while the visual indicator devices 808 a/808 b and 810 on eachof the direct-attach cable connectors 804 are visible. However, while aspecific direct-attach cabling routing situation is illustrated, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciatethat direct-attach cabling may be routed in a variety of manners thatmay obscure at least a portion of the visual indicator devices includedin the port systems 308 a, 308 b, 310 a, and 310 b while at least one ofthe visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on each of thedirect-attach cable connectors 804/1000/1002/1004/1006 is visible.

While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will recognize how the direct-attach cable connector206 b, 606, or 706 a-706 d on each direct-attach cable 206, 600, or 700,respectively, may then be connected to a connected device 204. Forexample, when the direct-attach cable 600 is utilized at block 902, thedirect-attach cable connector 606 may be connected to a single connecteddevice 204. However, in another example where the direct-attach cable700 is utilized at block 902, one or more of the direct-attach cableconnectors 706 a-706 d may be connected to respective connected devices204. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure, the coupling of the networking device 202 andthe connected device(s) 204 may be followed by a variety ofconnection/link establishment operations that allow for the transmissionof data between the networking device and the connected device(s) 204via the direct-attach cables.

With reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, in an embodiment of block902, a direct-attach cable connector 1100 on a first direct-attach cablemay be connected to the port 500 in the port system 308 a, adirect-attach cable connector 1102 on a second direct-attach cable maybe connected to the port 502 in the port system 308 b, a direct-attachcable connector 1104 and a third direct-attach cable may be connected tothe port 508 in the port system 310 a, and a direct-attach cableconnector 1106 on a fourth direct-attach cable may be connected to theport 510 in the port system 310 b. As such, FIGS. 11B and 11C illustratethe direct-attach cable connector 804/1100 included on the firstdirect-attach cable connected to the port 500 on the port system 308 a,FIGS. 11B and 11C illustrate the direct-attach cable connector 804/1102included on the second direct-attach cable connected to the port 502 onthe port system 308 b, FIG. 11C illustrates the direct-attach cableconnector 804/1104 included on the third direct-attach cable connectedto the port 508 on the port system 310 a, and FIG. 11D illustrates thedirect-attach cable connector 804/1106 included on the fourthdirect-attach cable connected to the port 510 on the port system 310 b.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, FIG. 11C illustrates how the direct-attach cableconnectors 804/1100/1102 included on the first and second direct-attachcables connect to the ports 500 and 502, respectively, on the portsystems 308 a and 308 b, respectively, in a first orientation, and howthe direct-attach cable connectors 804/1104/1106 included on the thirdand fourth direct-attach cables connect to the ports 508 and 510,respectively, on the ports systems 310 a and 310 b, respectively, in asecond orientation that is inverted relative to the first orientation.However, while specific connection orientations are provided, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciatethat a variety of direct-attach cable connector orientations will fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure as well. Furthermore, FIG.11C illustrates how the direct-attach cabling 802 on the first, second,third, and fourth direct-attach cables may be routed in a manner thatleaves the visual indicator devices 808 a/808 b and 810 on each of thedirect-attach cable connectors 804 visible. However, while a specificdirect-attach cabling routing situation is illustrated, one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate thatdirect-attach cabling may be routed in a variety of manners that leaveat least one of the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810on each of the direct-attach cable connectors 804/1100/1102/1104/1106visible.

While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will recognize how the direct-attach cable connector206 b, 606, or 706 a-706 d on each direct-attach cable 206, 600, or 700,respectively, may then be connected to a connected device 204. Forexample, when the direct-attach cable 600 is utilized at block 902, thedirect-attach cable connector 606 may be connected to a single connecteddevice 204. However, in another example where the direct-attach cable700 is utilized at block 902, one or more of the direct-attach cableconnectors 706 a-706 d may be connected to respective connected devices204. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure, the coupling of the networking device 202 andthe connected device(s) 204 may be followed by a variety ofconnection/link establishment operations that allow for the transmissionof data between the networking device and the connected device(s) 204via the direct-attach cables.

The method 900 then proceeds to block 904 where visual indicatordevice(s) on a direct-attach cable connector on the direct-attach cablereceives data transmission information from the networking device. Inembodiments of block 904 like those illustrated in FIGS. 10A, 10B, and10C, the establishment of the links between the networking device 202and the connected device(s) 204 via the direct-attach cables will resultin the networking engine 304 in the networking devices 202/300generating and transmitting data transmission information. For example,with reference back to FIG. 4B, the networking processing system 430,the CPLD 432, and/or the register 434 may operate at block 904 togenerate and transmit data transmission information associated with thedata transmission via the port 400 to the visual indicator device in theport system 308 a, which one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will recognize is configured to cause one or more ofthe LEDs 402 a-402 d in the port system 308 a to illuminate based onthat data transmission information to provide a visual indication ofthat data transmission. In addition, the networking processing system430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 436 may operate at block 904 togenerate and transmit that data transmission information associated withthe data transmission via the port 400 through that port 400 to theconnected direct-attach cable connector 804/1000 on the firstdirect-attach cable. As such, the visual indicator devices 806, 808a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connectors 804/1000 on thefirst direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 400.

Similarly, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/orthe register 435 may operate at block 904 to generate and transmit datatransmission information associated with the data transmission via theport 404 to the visual indicator device in the port system 308 b, whichone of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure willrecognize is configured to cause one or more of the LEDs 406 a-406 d inthe port system 308 b to illuminate based on that data transmissioninformation to provide a visual indication of that data transmission. Inaddition, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or theregister 437 may operate at block 904 to generate and transmit that datatransmission information associated with the data transmission via theport 404 through that port 404 to the connected direct-attach cableconnector 804/1002 on the second direct-attach cable. As such, thevisual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attachcable connectors 804/1002 on the second direct-attach cable will receivethat data transmission information via the port 404.

While not described in detail, one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure will recognize how the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or registers may operate at block 904 togenerate and transmit data transmission information associated with thedata transmission via the ports 416 and 420 to the visual indicatordevices in the port systems 310 a and 310 b to cause one or more of theLEDs 418 a-418 d in the port system 310 a and one or more of the LEDs422 a-422 d in the port system 310 b to illuminate based on that datatransmission information to provide a visual indication of that datatransmission, and the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432,and/or registers may operate at block 904 to generate and transmit thatdata transmission information associated with the data transmission viathe ports 416 and 420 through those ports 416 and 420 to their connecteddirect-attach cable connectors 804/1004/1006 on the third and fourthdirect-attach cables. As such, the visual indicator devices 806, 808a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connector 804/1004 on thethird direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 416, and the visual indicator devices 806, 808a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connector 804/1006 on thefourth direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 420.

Similarly, in embodiments of block 904 like those illustrated in FIGS.11A, 11B, and 11C, the establishment of the links between the networkingdevice 202 and the connected device(s) 204 via the direct-attach cableswill result in the networking engine 304 in the networking devices202/300 generating and transmitting data transmission information. Forexample, with reference back to FIG. 5B, the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 520 may operate at block904 to generate and transmit data transmission information associatedwith the data transmission via the port 500 through that port 500 to theconnected direct-attach cable connector 804/1100 on the firstdirect-attach cable. As such, the visual indicator devices 806, 808a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connector 804/1100 on thefirst direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 500. Similarly as well, the networkingprocessing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 521 may operateat block 904 to generate and transmit data transmission informationassociated with the data transmission via the port 502 through that port502 to the connected direct-attach cable connector 804/1102 on thesecond direct-attach cable. As such, the visual indicator devices 806,808 a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connector 804/1102 onthe second direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 502.

While not described in detail, one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure will recognize how the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or registers may operate at block 904 togenerate and transmit data transmission information associated with thedata transmission via the ports 508 and 510 through those ports 508 and510 to their connected direct-attach cable connectors 804/1104/1106 onthe third and fourth direct-attach cables. As such, the visual indicatordevices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connector804/1104 on the third direct-attach cable will receive that datatransmission information via the port 508, and the visual indicatordevices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on the direct-attach cable connector804/1106 on the fourth direct-attach cable will receive that datatransmission information via the port 510.

The method 900 then proceeds to block 906 where the visual indicatordevice(s) on the direct-attach cable connector on the direct-attachcable provide a visual indication based on the data transmissioninformation. In an embodiment, at block 906, the visual indicatordevices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 receiving the data transmissioninformation at block 904 will operate to provide a visual indicationbased on that data transmission information. In the examples providedbelow, each of the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810provides the same visual indications in order to provide for redundantvisual indications, at least one of which should be visible in anydirect-attach cabling routing situation. However, one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate howdifferent visual indicator devices may be configured to providedifferent visual indications while remaining within the scope of thepresent disclosure as well.

With reference to FIG. 12A, an embodiment of visual indications providedby the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on adirect-attach cable connector 804 is illustrated. In this example, thevisual indicator device 806 is providing a visual indication thatincludes a first visual indication 1200 a (e.g., provided byilluminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 806), a secondvisual indication 1200 b (e.g., provided by illuminating a second LED inthe visual indicator device 806), a third visual indication 1200 c(e.g., provided by illuminating a third LED in the visual indicatordevice 806), and a fourth visual indication 1200 d (e.g., provided byilluminating a fourth LED in the visual indicator device 806).Furthermore, the visual indicator device 808 a/808 b is providing avisual indication that includes a first visual indication 1202 a (e.g.,provided by illuminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 808a), a second visual indication 1202 b (e.g., provided by illuminating asecond LED in the visual indicator device 808 a), a third visualindication 1202 c (e.g., provided by illuminating a third LED in thevisual indicator device 808 b), and a fourth visual indication 1202 d(e.g., provided by illuminating a fourth LED in the visual indicatordevice 808 b). Further still, the visual indicator device 810 isproviding a visual indication that includes a first visual indication1204 a (e.g., provided by illuminating a first LED in the visualindicator device 810), a second visual indication 1204 b (e.g., providedby illuminating a second LED in the visual indicator device 810), athird visual indication 1204 c (e.g., provided by illuminating a thirdLED in the visual indicator device 810), and a fourth visual indication1204 d (e.g., provided by illuminating a fourth LED in the visualindicator device 810).

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, any of the visual indications provided by the visualindicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 may be provided in differentcolors (e.g., green, red, amber, blue, etc.) in order to indicatedifferent data transmission information. For example, the visualindications 1200 a-1200 d provided by the visual indicator device 806,the visual indications 1202 a-1202 d provided by the visual indicatordevice 808 a/808 b, and the visual indications 1204 a-1204 d provided bythe visual indicator device 810, may each provide an indication that theconnected port is operating at its maximum speed (e.g., 100 GbE) whenthose indications are green, may provide an indication that theconnected port has negotiated to operate at a speed that is lower thanits maximum speed when those indications are amber, and may provide anindication that the connected port is not operating when thoseindications are red. As such, only one of the visual indicator devices806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 need be visible to a user to visually indicatedata transmission information to a user. However, while a few exampleshave been provided, one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will appreciate that visual indications may be defined andprovided in any manner while remaining within the scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

With reference to FIG. 12B, another embodiment of visual indicationsprovided by the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on adirect-attach cable connector 804 is illustrated. In this example, thevisual indicator device 806 is providing a visual indication thatincludes a first visual indication 1206 a (e.g., provided byilluminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 806), and asecond visual indication 1206 b (e.g., provided by illuminating a secondLED in the visual indicator device 806). Furthermore, the visualindicator device 808 a/808 b is providing a visual indication thatincludes a first visual indication 1208 a (e.g., provided byilluminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 808 a), and asecond visual indication 1208 b (e.g., provided by illuminating a secondLED in the visual indicator device 808 a). Further still, the visualindicator device 810 is providing a visual indication that includes afirst visual indication 1210 a (e.g., provided by illuminating a firstLED in the visual indicator device 810), and a second visual indication1210 b (e.g., provided by illuminating a second LED in the visualindicator device 810).

In a specific example, the visual indications 1206 a and 1206 b providedby the visual indicator device 806, the visual indications 1208 a and1208 b provided by the visual indicator device 808 a/808 b, and thevisual indications 1210 a and 1210 b provided by the visual indicatordevice 810, may each provide an indication that the connected port istransmitting data via two data transmission lanes/logical ports (e.g.,to connected devices 206 connected to the direct-attach cable connectors706 a and 706 b on the direct-attach cable 700)) and not transmittingdata via two data transmission lanes/logical ports. One of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how thisexample illustrates how the direct-attach cable data transmission visualindicator system of the present disclosure supports “breakout” cableembodiments where a single physical port on the networking deviceprovides four logical interfaces (e.g., at speeds of 4×10 GbE, 4×25 GbE,etc.). As such, only one of the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808b, and 810 need be visible to a user to visually indicate datatransmission information to a user. However, while a few examples havebeen provided, one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will appreciate that visual indications may be defined andprovided in any manner while remaining within the scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

With reference to FIG. 12C, another embodiment of visual indicationsprovided by the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on adirect-attach cable connector 804 is illustrated. In this example, thevisual indicator device 806 is providing a visual indication thatincludes a first visual indication 1212 a (e.g., provided byilluminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 806).Furthermore, the visual indicator device 808 a/808 b is providing avisual indication that includes a first visual indication 1214 a (e.g.,provided by illuminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 808a). Further still, the visual indicator device 810 is providing a visualindication that includes a first visual indication 1216 a (e.g.,provided by illuminating a first LED in the visual indicator device810).

In a specific example, the visual indication 1212 a provided by thevisual indicator device 806, the visual indication 1214 a provided bythe visual indicator device 808 a/808 b, and the visual indication 1216a provided by the visual indicator device 810, may each provide anindication that the connected port is transmitting data via a singledata transmission lane/logical port (e.g., to a connected device 204connected to the direct-attach cable connector 706 a on thedirect-attach cable 700)) and not transmitting data via three datatransmission lanes/logical ports. One of skill in the art in possessionof the present disclosure will appreciate how this example illustrateshow the direct-attach cable data transmission visual indicator system ofthe present disclosure supports “breakout” cable embodiments where asingle physical port on the networking device provides four logicalinterfaces (e.g., at speeds of 4×10 GbE, 4×25 GbE, etc.). As such, onlyone of the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 need bevisible to a user to visually indicate data transmission information toa user. However, while a few examples have been provided, one of skillin the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate thatvisual indications may be defined and provided in any manner whileremaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

With reference to FIG. 12D, another embodiment of visual indicationsprovided by the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808 b, and 810 on adirect-attach cable connector 804 is illustrated. In this example, thevisual indicator device 806 is providing a visual indication thatincludes a first visual indication 1218 a (e.g., provided byilluminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 806), and athird visual indication 1218 c (e.g., provided by illuminating a thirdLED in the visual indicator device 806). Furthermore, the visualindicator device 808 a/808 b is providing a visual indication thatincludes a first visual indication 1220 a (e.g., provided byilluminating a first LED in the visual indicator device 808 a), and athird visual indication 1220 c (e.g., provided by illuminating a thirdLED in the visual indicator device 808 b). Further still, the visualindicator device 810 is providing a visual indication that includes afirst visual indication 1222 a (e.g., provided by illuminating a firstLED in the visual indicator device 810), and a third visual indication1222 c (e.g., provided by illuminating a third LED in the visualindicator device 810).

In a specific example, the visual indications 1218 a and 1218 c providedby the visual indicator device 806, the visual indications 1220 a and1220 c provided by the visual indicator device 808 a/808 b, and thevisual indications 1222 a and 1222 c provided by the visual indicatordevice 810, may each provide an indication that the connected port istransmitting data via two data transmission lanes/logical ports (e.g.,to connected devices 204 connected to the direct-attach cable connectors706 a and 706 c on the direct-attach cable 700)) and not transmittingdata via two data transmission lanes/logical ports. One of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how thisexample illustrates how the direct-attach cable data transmission visualindicator system of the present disclosure supports “breakout” cableembodiments where a single physical port on the networking deviceprovides four logical interfaces (e.g., at speeds of 4×10 GbE, 4×25 GbE,etc.). As such, only one of the visual indicator devices 806, 808 a/808b, and 810 need be visible to a user to visually indicate datatransmission information to a user. However, while a few examples havebeen provided, one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will appreciate that visual indications may be defined andprovided in any manner while remaining within the scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

The inventors of the present disclosure have developed a transceiverdevice data transmission visual indicator system that is described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/147,269, filed on Jan. 12, 2021, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.That transceiver device data transmission visual indicator systemprovides a transceiver device with visual indicator devices that areconfigured to provide visual indications based on data transmissioninformation received via the port to which that transceiver device isconnected, and one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will recognize how the direct-attach cable data transmissionvisual indicator system of the present disclosure may be coordinatedwith that transceiver device data transmission visual indicator systemin order to provide any of a variety of visual indication whileremaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.

Thus, systems and methods have been described that provide a DAC cableconnector on a DAC cable that includes one or more LEDs that are visiblewhen the DAC cable connector is coupled to a switch port via atransceiver device, which allows the LED(s) to receive data transmissioninformation via that switch port and provide corresponding visualindications of data transmission via that switch port. For example, theDAC cable data transmission LED system includes a switch device having aswitch port. A DAC cable includes a DAC cable connector that is locatedon an end of the DAC cable and that couples the DAC cable to the switchport. A plurality of LEDs are included on the DAC cable connector andare configured to receive data transmission information from the switchdevice via the switch port and the DAC cable connector, with the datatransmission information associated with the transmission of data viathe switch port. The LEDs then illuminate based on the data transmissioninformation. As such, in situations where the switch device does notprovide LED(s) adjacent its switch port, or when the LED(s) adjacentswitch ports on the switch device are obscured by DAC cable(s), a userwill still be able to view the visual indications provided by theLEDs(s) on the DAC cable connector.

The inventors of the present disclosure have discovered that, while theteachings of the present disclosure discussed above solve several issuesassociated with the use of conventional port visual indicators providedadjacent ports on networking devices, in some situations thedirect-attach cable connector visual indicator device described hereinmay be obscured as well. For example, some experimental embodimentsfound that in densely cabled switch devices, direct-attach cables may berouted in a manner that obscures all of the direct-attach cableconnector visual indicator devices for a particular direct-attach cableconnector/port connection, or at least obscures all of the direct-attachcable connector visual indicator devices visible to a user based ontheir current viewing angle to a particular direct-attach cableconnector/port connection. As such, the inventors have developed thesystems and methods described below, which have been found to remedythose direct-attach cable connector visual indicator device issues byproviding visual indicator device on the direct-attach cabling of thedirect-attach cable, spaced apart from the direct-attach cableconnector. For example, the inventors of the present disclosure havefound that, by providing the visual indicator device on thedirect-attach cabling of the direct-attach cable and between thedirect-attach cable connector and an “initial-bend portion” of thedirect-attach cabling, the visual indicator devices of the presentdisclosure extend from the ports to which their adjacent direct-attachcable connectors are connected in a manner that allows otherdirect-attach cables to be routed without obscuring those visualindicator devices.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an embodiment of a direct-attach cable 1300 isillustrated that may provide the direct-attach cable 206 discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 2. As such, the direct-attach cable 1300 may beprovided by a passive DAC cable, an active DAC cable, an AOC, and/or anyother direct-attach cable that would be apparent to one of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure. In the illustratedembodiment, the direct-attach cable 1300 includes direct-attach cabling1302 having a first direct-attach cable connector 1304 located on afirst end 1302 a of the direct-attach cabling 1302, and a seconddirect-attach cable connector 1306 located on a second end 1302 b of thedirect-attach cabling 1302 that is opposite the first end 1302 a. Aswill be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, the direct-attach cable 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13provides an example of a direct-attach cable that includes a singledirect-attach cable connector 1306 that may be utilized to couple thenetworking device 202 to a single connected device 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, an “initial-bend” portion 1302 c of thedirect attach cabling 1302 is located adjacent to and spaced apart fromthe first direct-attach cable connector 1304/first end 1302 a of thedirect-attach cabling 1302, and an “initial-bend” portion 1302 d of thedirect-attach cabling 1302 is located adjacent to and spaced apart fromthe second direct-attach cable connector 1306/second end 1302 b of thedirect-attach cabling 1302. As will be appreciated by one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure, the “initial bend”portions 1302 c and 1302 d of the direct-attach cabling 1302 may providethe portions of the direct-attach cable 1300 adjacent its connection todevices where the direct-attach cabling 1302 bends when routing thatdirect-attach cable 1300, and thus may vary depending on the thicknessof the direct-attach cabling 1302, a “safe” bending radius of thedirect-attach cabling 1302 (e.g., a bending radius that will not damagethe direct-attach cabling 1302 when repeatedly performed), and/or othercabling “initial bend” portion factors that would be apparent to one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.

As illustrated, the direct-attach cabling 1302 may include a pluralityof visual indicator devices. In the examples illustrated in FIG. 13, avisual indicator device 1308 is included on the direct-attach cabling1302 between the first direct-attach cable connector 1304/first end 1302a of the direct-attach cabling 1302 and the “initial bend” portion 1302c of the direct-attach cabling 1302, and a visual indicator device 1310is included on the direct-attach cabling 1302 between the seconddirect-attach cable connector 1306/second end 1302 b of thedirect-attach cabling 1302 and the “initial bend” portion 1302 d of thedirect-attach cabling 1302. However, while the visual indicator devices1308 and 1310 are illustrated and described as each being locatedbetween a direct-attach cable connector/end of the direct-attach cablingand a corresponding/adjacent “initial bend” portion of thatdirect-attach cabling on opposite sides of the direct-attach cabling,embodiments in which one or more of the visual indicator devices arelocated opposite the “initial bend” portion of the direct-attach cablingfrom its corresponding/adjacent direct-attach cable connector/end of thedirect-attach cabling may provide benefits similar to those discussedbelow and thus are envisioned as falling within the scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

In the specific examples provided herein, each of the visual indicatordevices 1308 and 1310 provide a single Light Emitting Device (LED) thatextends around a circumference of the direct-attach cabling 1302, whichmay be provided using any of a variety of LED technologies that would beapparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure. While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art inpossession of the present disclosure will recognize that each of thevisual indicator devices 1308 and 1310 may include connections,couplings, wiring, traces, and/or other subsystems that one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure would recognize ascoupling those visual indicator devices 1308 and 1310 to the firstdirect-attach cable connector 1304 and the second direct-attach cableconnector 1306, respectively, in a manner that allows them to receivethe data transmission information transmitted by the networking device202/300 via its ports as discussed below.

However, while each visual indicator device 1308 and 1310 on thedirect-attach cabling 1302 is illustrated and discussed as including acircumferential LED, one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will appreciate that different types of visualindicators will fall within the scope of the present disclosure as well.For example, FIG. 14 illustrates a direct-attach cable 1400 that issubstantially similar to the direct-attach cable 1300 discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 13, and thus is illustrated with the same elementnumbers for similar features. However, the single circumferential LEDvisual indicator devices 1308 and 1310 on the direct-attach cable 1300have been replaced by a visual indicator device 1402 on thedirect-attach cable 1400 that is included on the direct-attach cabling1302 between the first direct-attach cable connector 1304/first end 1302a of the direct-attach cabling 1302 and the “initial bend” portion 1302c of the direct-attach cabling 1302, and a visual indicator device 1404is included on the direct-attach cabling 1302 between the seconddirect-attach cable connector 1306/second end 1302 b of thedirect-attach cabling 1302 and the “initial bend” portion 1302 d of thedirect-attach cabling 1302. In the illustrated embodiment, the visualindicator devices 1402 and 1404 are provided by elongated light emitting“pads” that extend along a length of the direct-attach cabling 1302 andthat may be flush with the outer surface of the direct-attach cabling1302 in some embodiments.

Furthermore, while each direct-attach cable 1300 and 1400 is illustratedand described as including only a single LED for each visual indicatordevice (e.g., the visual indicator devices 1308 and 1310 on thedirect-attach cable 1300, and the visual indicator devices 1402 and 1404on the direct-attach cable 1400), one of skill in the art in possessionof the present disclosure will appreciate that different numbers ofvisual indicators may be provided by any visual indicator device whileremaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. Forexample, FIG. 15 illustrates a direct-attach cable 1500 that issubstantially similar to the direct-attach cable 1300 discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 13, and thus is illustrated with the same elementnumbers for similar features. However, the single circumferential LEDvisual indicator devices 1308 and 1310 on the direct-attach cable 1300have been replaced by a multiple circumferential LED visual indicatordevice 1502 on the direct-attach cable 1500 that is included on thedirect-attach cabling 1302 between the first direct-attach cableconnector 1304/first end 1302 a of the direct-attach cabling 1302 andthe “initial bend” portion 1302 c of the direct-attach cabling 1302, anda multiple circumferential LED visual indicator device 1504 on thedirect-attach cable 1500 that is included on the direct-attach cabling1302 between the second direct-attach cable connector 1306/second end1302 b of the direct-attach cabling 1302 and the “initial bend” portion1302 d of the direct-attach cabling 1302.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, the single circumferential LEDs provided by thevisual indicator device 1308 and 1310 on the direct-attach cable 1300may each be configured to indicate port status (e.g., “up at fullspeed”, “up at limited speed”, “down”, etc.) for a connected port, whilethe multiple circumferential LEDs provided by the visual indicatordevices 1502 and 1504 on the direct-attach cable 1500 may each beconfigured to indicate both port status and port errors (e.g., CyclicRedundancy Check (CRC) errors, checksum errors, etc.). Furthermore,additional visual indicators may be provided with the visual indicatordevices 1502 and 1504 to provide visual indications of any of a varietyof information that would be apparent to one of skill in the art inpossession of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, while multiple different embodiments of “single ended”direct-attach cables 1300, 1400, and 1500 (i.e., with a singledirect-attach cable connector on each end) are illustrated and describedabove, the use of the visual indicator devices directly on thedirect-attach cabling of other types of direct-attach cables isenvisioned as falling within the scope of the present disclosure aswell. For example, referring now to FIG. 16, an embodiment of adirect-attach cable 1600 is illustrated that may provide thedirect-attach cable 206 discussed above with reference to FIG. 2, and/orthe direct-attach cable 700 discussed above with reference to FIG. 7. Assuch, the direct-attach cable 1600 may be provided by a passive DACcable, an active DAC cable, an AOC, and/or any other direct-attach cablethat would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the direct-attachcable 1600 includes direct-attach cabling 1602, a first direct-attachcable connector 1604 located on a first end 1602 a of the direct-attachcabling 1602, and a multiple circumferential LED visual indicator device1606 on the direct-attach cable 1600 that is included on thedirect-attach cabling 1602 between the first direct-attach cableconnector 1604/first end 1602 a of the direct-attach cabling 1602 and an“initial bend” portion 1602 b of the direct-attach cabling 1602.

In the illustrated embodiment, the direct-attach cable 1600 alsoincludes a breakout portion 1608 (similar to the breakout portion 702 aof the direct-attach cable 700 discussed above with reference to FIG.7), with a second direct-attach cable connector 1610 located on a secondend 1602 c of the direct-attach cabling 1602 and a singlecircumferential LED visual indicator device 1612 included on thedirect-attach cabling 1602 between the second direct-attach cableconnector 1610/second end 1602 c of the direct-attach cabling 1602 andan “initial bend” portion 1602 d of the direct-attach cabling 1602, athird direct-attach cable connector 1614 located on a third end 1602 eof the direct-attach cabling 1602 and a single circumferential LEDvisual indicator device 1616 included on the direct-attach cabling 1602between the third direct-attach cable connector 1614/third end 1602 e ofthe direct-attach cabling 1602 and an “initial bend” portion 1602 f ofthe direct-attach cabling 1602, a fourth direct-attach cable connector1618 located on a fourth end 1602 g of the direct-attach cabling 1602and a single circumferential LED visual indicator device 1620 includedon the direct-attach cabling 1602 between the fourth direct-attach cableconnector 1618/fourth end 1602 g of the direct-attach cabling 1602 andan “initial bend” portion 1602 h of the direct-attach cabling 1602, anda fifth direct-attach cable connector 1622 located on a fifth end 1602 iof the direct-attach cabling 1602 and a single circumferential LEDvisual indicator device 1624 included on the direct-attach cabling 1602between the fifth direct-attach cable connector 1622/fifth end 1602 i ofthe direct-attach cabling 1602 and an “initial bend” portion 1602 j ofthe direct-attach cabling 1602.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, the direct-attach cable 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16provides an example of a direct-attach cable that may be a “breakoutcable” that includes a plurality of direct-attach cable connectors thatmay be utilized to couple the networking device 202 to a plurality ofconnected devices 204 (e.g., four connected devices in the examplesprovided herein). However, while two specific direct-attach cable typeshaving particular types and numbers of visual indicator devices on theirdirect-attach cabling are described herein, one of skill in the art inpossession of the present disclosure will appreciate how otherdirect-attach cables may benefit from different types and numbers ofvisual indicator devices provided according to the teachings of thepresent disclosure while remaining within its scope as well.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an embodiment of a method 1700 for providingdata transmission visual indications via a direct-attach cable isillustrated. As discussed below, the systems and methods of the presentdisclosure provide a direct-attach cable connector on a direct-attachcable that includes one or more visual indicator devices that arevisible when the direct-attach cable connector is coupled to a port,which allows the visual indicator device(s) to receive data transmissioninformation via that port and provide corresponding visual indicationsof data transmission via that port. For example, the direct-attach cabledata transmission visual indicator system of the present disclosure mayinclude a networking device having a port, a direct-attach cable thatincludes a direct-attach cable connector that is located on an end ofthe direct-attach cable and that couples the direct-attach cable to theport, and a visual indicator device that is included on thedirect-attach cable adjacent to and spaced apart from the direct-attachcable connector. The visual indicator device receives, from thenetworking device via the port and the direct-attach cable connector,data transmission information that is associated with the transmissionof data via the port, and provides a visual indication that is based onthe first data transmission information. As such, in situations wherethe networking device does not provide visual indicator device(s)adjacent its port, or when the visual indicator device(s) adjacent portson the networking device are obscured by direct-attach cable(s) or othervisual obstructions, a user will still be able to view the visualindications provided by the visual indicator device(s) on thedirect-attach cable.

The method 1700 begins at block 1702 where a direct-attach cable iscoupled to a networking device and connected device(s). As will beappreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure, the method 1700 utilizes a modified version of thenetworking device 300 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4Bin which the four LEDs on each port system are replaced with a singleLED (e.g., the four LEDs 402 a-402 d on the port system 308 a arereplaced with a single LED 402, the four LEDs 406 a-406 d on the portsystem 308 b are replaced with a single LED 406, and so on for each portsystem 308 c, 308 d, 310 a, 310 b, 310 c, and 310 d) due to, forexample, those port systems 308 a-308 d and 310 a-310 d not beingconfigured to operate in a breakout mode. With reference to FIGS. 18A,18B, and 18C, in an embodiment of block 1702, a direct-attach cableconnector 1800 on a first direct-attach cable may be connected to theport 400 in the port system 308 a, a direct-attach cable connector 1802on a second direct-attach cable may be connected to the port 404 in theport system 308 b, a direct-attach cable connector 1804 on a thirddirect-attach cable may be connected to the port 416 in the port system310 a, and a direct-attach cable connector 1806 on a fourthdirect-attach cable may be connected to the port 420 in the port system310 b. As such, FIGS. 18B and 18C illustrate the direct-attach cableconnector 1304/1800 included on the first direct-attach cable connectedto the port 400 in the port system 308 a, FIGS. 18B and 18C illustratethe direct-attach cable connector 1304/1802 included on the seconddirect-attach cable connected to the port 404 in the port system 308 b,FIG. 18C illustrates the direct-attach cable connector 1304/1804included on the third direct-attach cable connected to the port 416 onthe port system 310 a, and FIG. 18C illustrates the direct-attach cableconnector 1304/1806 included on the fourth direct-attach cable connectedto the port 420 on the port system 310 b.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, FIG. 18C illustrates how the direct-attach cableconnectors 804/1800/1802 included on the first and second direct-attachcables connect to the ports 400 and 404, respectively, on the portssystems 308 a and 308 b, respectively, in a first orientation, and howthe direct-attach cable connectors 804/1804/1806 included on the thirdand fourth direct-attach cables connect to the ports 416 and 420,respectively, on the port systems 310 a and 310 b, respectively, in asecond orientation that is inverted relative to the first orientation.However, while specific connection orientations are provided, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciatethat a variety of direct-attach cable connector orientations will fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure as well. Furthermore, FIG.18C illustrates how the direct-attach cabling 1302 on the first, second,third, and fourth direct-attach cables may be routed in a manner thatobscures at least a portion of the visual indicator devices included inthe port systems 308 a, 308 b, 310 a, and 310 b (e.g., the LEDs 402,406, and 418 in the illustrated example), while the visual indicatordevices 1308 on the direct-attach cabling 1302 of each of thedirect-attach cables are visible. However, while a specificdirect-attach cabling routing situation is illustrated, one of skill inthe art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate thatdirect-attach cabling may be routed in a variety of manners that mayobscure at least a portion of the visual indicator devices included inthe port systems 308 a, 308 b, 310 a, and 310 b while the visualindicator devices 1308 on the direct-attach cabling 1302 of each of thedirect-attach cables are visible.

While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will recognize how the direct-attach cable connector1306 on each direct-attach cable 1300, 1400, of 1500, may then beconnected to a connected device 204. However, in another example wherethe direct-attach cable 1600 is utilized at block 1702, one or more ofthe direct-attach cable connectors 1610, 1614, 1618, and 1622 may beconnected to respective connected devices 204. As will be appreciated byone of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, thecoupling of the networking device 202 and the connected device(s) 204may be followed by a variety of connection/link establishment operationsthat allow for the transmission of data between the networking deviceand the connected device(s) 204 via the direct-attach cables.

With reference to FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C, in an embodiment of block1702, a direct-attach cable connector 1900 on a first direct-attachcable may be connected to the port 500 in the port system 308 a, adirect-attach cable connector 1902 on a second direct-attach cable maybe connected to the port 502 in the port system 308 b, a direct-attachcable connector 1904 on a third direct-attach cable may be connected tothe port 508 in the port system 310 a, and a direct-attach cableconnector 1906 on a fourth direct-attach cable may be connected to theport 510 in the port system 310 b. As such, FIGS. 19B and 19C illustratethe direct-attach cable connector 1304/1900 included on the firstdirect-attach cable connected to the port 500 on the port system 308 a,FIGS. 19B and 19C illustrate the direct-attach cable connector 1304/1902included on the second direct-attach cable connected to the port 502 onthe port system 308 b, FIG. 19C illustrates the direct-attach cableconnector 1304/1904 included on the third direct-attach cable connectedto the port 508 on the port system 310 a, and FIG. 19D illustrates thedirect-attach cable connector 1304/1906 included on the fourthdirect-attach cable connected to the port 510 on the port system 310 b.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure, FIG. 19C illustrates how the direct-attach cableconnectors 304/1900/1902 included on the first and second direct-attachcables connect to the ports 500 and 502, respectively, on the portsystems 308 a and 308 b, respectively, in a first orientation, and howthe direct-attach cable connectors 1304/1904/1906 included on the thirdand fourth direct-attach cables connect to the ports 508 and 510,respectively, on the ports systems 310 a and 310 b, respectively, in asecond orientation that is inverted relative to the first orientation.However, while specific connection orientations are provided, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciatethat a variety of direct-attach cable connector orientations will fallwithin the scope of the present disclosure as well. Furthermore, FIG.19C illustrates how the direct-attach cabling 1302 on the first, second,third, and fourth direct-attach cables may be routed in a manner thatleaves the visual indicator devices 1308 on the direct-attach cabling1302 on each of the direct-attach cables visible. However, while aspecific direct-attach cabling routing situation is illustrated, one ofskill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciatethat direct-attach cabling may be routed in a variety of manners thatleave at least one of the visual indicator devices 1308 on thedirect-attach cabling 1302 on each of the direct-attach cables visible.

While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in possession of thepresent disclosure will recognize how the direct-attach cable connector1306 on each direct-attach cable 1300, 1400, or 1500, may then beconnected to a connected device 204. However, in another example wherethe direct-attach cable 1600 is utilized at block 1702, one or more ofthe direct-attach cable connectors 1610, 1614, 1618, and 1622 may beconnected to respective connected devices 204. As will be appreciated byone of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, thecoupling of the networking device 202 and the connected device(s) 204may be followed by a variety of connection/link establishment operationsthat allow for the transmission of data between the networking deviceand the connected device(s) 204 via the direct-attach cables.

The method 1700 then proceeds to block 1704 where visual indicatordevice(s) on a direct-attach cabling on the direct-attach cable receivesdata transmission information from the networking device. In embodimentsof block 1704 like those illustrated in FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C, theestablishment of the links between the networking device 202 and theconnected device(s) 204 via the direct-attach cables will result in thenetworking engine 304 in the networking devices 202/300 generating andtransmitting data transmission information. For example, with referenceback to FIG. 4B, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432,and/or the register 434 may operate at block 1704 to generate andtransmit data transmission information associated with the datatransmission via the port 400 to the visual indicator device in the portsystem 308 a, which one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will recognize is configured to cause the LED 402 in the portsystem 308 a to illuminate based on that data transmission informationto provide a visual indication of that data transmission. In addition,the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register436 may operate at block 1704 to generate and transmit that datatransmission information associated with the data transmission via theport 400 through that port 400 and via the connected direct-attach cableconnector 1304/1800 on the first direct-attach cable to its adjacentvisual indicator device 1308. As such, the visual indicator device 1308on the direct-attach cabling 1302 on the first direct-attach cable willreceive that data transmission information via the port 400.

Similarly, the networking processing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/orthe register 435 may operate at block 1704 to generate and transmit datatransmission information associated with the data transmission via theport 404 to the visual indicator device in the port system 308 b, whichone of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure willrecognize is configured to cause the LED 406 in the port system 308 b toilluminate based on that data transmission information to provide avisual indication of that data transmission. In addition, the networkingprocessing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 437 may operateat block 1704 to generate and transmit that data transmissioninformation associated with the data transmission via the port 404through that port 404 and via the connected direct-attach cableconnector 804/1002 on the second direct-attach cable to its adjacentvisual indicator device 1308. As such, the visual indicator device 1308on the direct-attach cabling 1302 on the second direct-attach cable willreceive that data transmission information via the port 404.

While not described in detail, one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure will recognize how the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or registers may operate at block 904 togenerate and transmit data transmission information associated with thedata transmission via the ports 416 and 420 to the visual indicatordevices in the port systems 310 a and 310 b to cause the LEDs 418 in theport system 310 a and the LEDs 422 in the port system 310 b toilluminate based on that data transmission information to provide avisual indication of that data transmission, and the networkingprocessing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or registers may operate atblock 904 to generate and transmit that data transmission informationassociated with the data transmission via the ports 416 and 420 throughthose ports 416 and 420 via their connected direct-attach cableconnectors 1304/1804/1806 on the third and fourth direct-attach cablesto their respective adjacent visual indicator devices 1308. As such, thevisual indicator device 1308 on the direct-attach cabling 1302 on thethird direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 416, and the visual indicator device 1308 onthe direct-attach cabling 1302 on the fourth direct-attach cable willreceive that data transmission information via the port 420.

Similarly, in embodiments of block 904 like those illustrated in FIGS.19A, 19B, and 19C, the establishment of the links between the networkingdevice 202 and the connected device(s) 204 via the direct-attach cableswill result in the networking engine 304 in the networking devices202/300 generating and transmitting data transmission information. Forexample, with reference back to FIG. 5B, the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 520 may operate at block1704 to generate and transmit data transmission information associatedwith the data transmission via the port 500 through that port 500 andvia the connected direct-attach cable connector 1304/1900 on the firstdirect-attach cable to its adjacent visual indicator device 1308. Assuch, the visual indicator device 1308 on the direct-attach cabling 1302on the first direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 500. Similarly as well, the networkingprocessing system 430, the CPLD 432, and/or the register 521 may operateat block 1704 to generate and transmit data transmission informationassociated with the data transmission via the port 502 through that port502 and via the connected direct-attach cable connector 1304/1902 on thesecond direct-attach cable to its adjacent visual indicator device 1308.As such, the visual indicator device 1308 on the direct-attach cabling1302 on the second direct-attach cable will receive that datatransmission information via the port 502.

While not described in detail, one of skill in the art in possession ofthe present disclosure will recognize how the networking processingsystem 430, the CPLD 432, and/or registers may operate at block 904 togenerate and transmit data transmission information associated with thedata transmission via the ports 508 and 510 through those ports 508 and510 and via their connected direct-attach cable connectors1304/1904/1906 on the third and fourth direct-attach cables to theiradjacent visual indicator devices 1308. As such, the visual indicatordevice 1308 on the direct-attach cabling 1302 on the third direct-attachcable will receive that data transmission information via the port 508,and the visual indicator device 1308 on the direct-attach cabling 1302on the fourth direct-attach cable will receive that data transmissioninformation via the port 510.

The method 1700 then proceeds to block 1706 where the visual indicatordevice(s) on the direct-attach cabling on the direct-attach cableprovide a visual indication based on the data transmission information.With reference to FIG. 20, in an embodiment of block 1706, any visualindicator device 1308 on a direct-attach cable that receives the datatransmission information at block 1704 will operate to provide a visualindication 2000 based on that data transmission information. As will beappreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure, any of the visual indications provided by the visualindicator device 1308 may be provided in different colors (e.g., green,red, amber, blue, etc.) in order to indicate different data transmissioninformation (e.g., port status information, port error information,etc.). For example, the visual indications provided by the visualindicator device 1308 may provide port status indications that mayindicate that the connected port is operating at its maximum speed(e.g., 100 GbE) when those indications are green, may provide anindication that the connected port has negotiated to operate at a speedthat is lower than its maximum speed when those indications are amber,and may provide an indication that the connected port is not operatingwhen those indications are red. However, while a few examples have beenprovided, one of skill in the art in possession of the presentdisclosure will appreciate that visual indications may be defined andprovided in any manner while remaining within the scope of the presentdisclosure as well.

In a specific example, visual indications provided by the visualindicator device 1606 on the direct-attach cable 1600 may includeindications that the connected port is transmitting data via one or moreof the data transmission lanes/logical ports (e.g., to connected devices206 connected to the direct-attach cable connectors 1610, 1614, 1618,and 1622 on the direct-attach cable 1600)) and not transmitting data viaone or more data transmission lanes/logical ports. One of skill in theart in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how thisexample illustrates how the direct-attach cable data transmission visualindicator system of the present disclosure supports “breakout” cableembodiments where a single physical port on the networking deviceprovides four logical interfaces (e.g., at speeds of 4×10 GbE, 4×25 GbE,etc.). As such, the different visual indicators in the visual indicatordevice 1606 on the direct-attach cable 1600 may provide visualindicators of the use/status of logical ports that provide the“breakout” to the breakout portion 1608 of the direct-attach cable 1600,while the visual indicator devices 1612, 1616, 1620, and 1624 on thedirect-attach cable 1600 may provide visual indicators of the use/statusof the respective ports coupled to their adjacent direct-attachconnectors 1610, 1614, 1618, and 1622, respectively. However, while afew examples have been provided, one of skill in the art in possessionof the present disclosure will appreciate that visual indications may bedefined and provided in any manner while remaining within the scope ofthe present disclosure as well.

Thus, systems and methods have been described that provide adirect-attach cable connector on a direct-attach cable that includes oneor more visual indicator devices that are visible when the direct-attachcable connector is coupled to a port, which allows the visual indicatordevice(s) to receive data transmission information via that port andprovide corresponding visual indications of data transmission via thatport. For example, the direct-attach cable data transmission visualindicator system of the present disclosure may include a networkingdevice having a port, a direct-attach cable that includes adirect-attach cable connector that is located on an end of thedirect-attach cable and that couples the direct-attach cable to theport, and a visual indicator device that is included on direct-attachcabling adjacent to and spaced apart from the direct-attach cableconnector. The visual indicator device receives, from the networkingdevice via the port and the direct-attach cable connector, datatransmission information that is associated with the transmission ofdata via the port, and provides a visual indication that is based on thefirst data transmission information. As such, in situations where thenetworking device does not provide visual indicator device(s) adjacentits port, or when the visual indicator device(s) adjacent ports on thenetworking device are obscured by direct-attach cable(s) or other visualobstructions, a user will still be able to view the visual indicationsprovided by the visual indicator device(s) on the direct-attach cable.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of theembodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A direct-attach cable data transmission visualindicator system, comprising: a networking device; a port that isincluded on the networking device; and a direct-attach cable thatincludes: a first direct-attach cable connector that is located on afirst end of the direct-attach cable and that couples the direct-attachcable to the port; a first visual indicator device that is included onthe direct-attach cable adjacent to and spaced apart from the firstdirect-attach cable connector, wherein the first visual indicator deviceis configured to: receive, from the networking device via the port andthe first direct-attach cable connector, first data transmissioninformation that is associated with the transmission of data via theport; and provide a visual indication that is based on the first datatransmission information.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thedirect-attach cable includes a breakout portion that couples thenetworking device to a plurality of connected devices.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the direct-attach cable includes: a respective seconddirect-attach cable connector located on each of a plurality of secondends of the direct-attach cable that are opposite the direct-attachcable from the first end and that are included in the breakout portionof the direct-attach cable, wherein each respective second direct-attachcable connector couples the direct-attached cable to a respectiveconnected device included in the plurality of connected devices; and arespective second visual indicator device that is included on thebreakout portion of the direct-attach cable adjacent to and spaced apartfrom each second direct-attach cable connector, wherein each secondvisual indicator device is configured to: receive, from the respectiveconnected device connected to that second direct-attach cable connectorand via that second direct-attach cable connector, second datatransmission information that is associated with the transmission ofdata between that respective connected device and that seconddirect-attach cable connector; and provide a visual indication that isbased on the second data transmission information.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first visual indicator device includes at least oneLight Emitting Device (LED) that is configured to illuminate to providethe visual indication.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thedirect-attach cable is provided by one of: a passive Direct-AttachCopper (DAC) cable; an active DAC cable; or an Active Optical Cable(AOC).
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first visual indicatordevice extends around a circumference of the direct-attach cable.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the networking device includes a secondvisual indicator device that is located adjacent the port and that isconfigure to receive, from the networking device, the data transmissioninformation that is associated with the transmission of data via theport; and provide a visual indication that is based on the datatransmission information.
 8. A direct-attach cable, comprising: a firstdirect-attach cable connector that is located on a first end of thedirect-attach cable and that is configured to couple the direct-attachcable to a port on a networking device; and a first visual indicatordevice that is included on the direct-attach cable adjacent to andspaced apart from the first direct-attach cable connector, wherein thefirst visual indicator device is configured to: receive, from thenetworking device via the port and the first direct-attach cableconnector when the first direct-attach cable connector is connected tothe port on the networking device, first data transmission informationthat is associated with the transmission of data via the port; andprovide a visual indication that is based on the first data transmissioninformation
 9. The direct-attach cable of claim 8, wherein thedirect-attach cable includes a breakout portion that is configured tocouple the networking device to a plurality of connected devices whenthe first direct-attach cable connector is connected to the port on thenetworking device.
 10. The direct-attach cable of claim 8, furthercomprising: a respective second direct-attach cable connector located oneach of a plurality of second ends of the direct-attach cable that areopposite the direct-attach cable from the first end and that areincluded in the breakout portion of the direct-attach cable, whereineach respective second direct-attach cable connector is configured tocouples the direct-attached cable to a respective connected deviceincluded in the plurality of connected devices when the firstdirect-attach cable connector is connected to the port on the networkingdevice; and a respective second visual indicator device that is includedon the breakout portion of the direct-attach cable adjacent to andspaced apart from each second direct-attach cable connector, whereineach second visual indicator device is configured to: receive, from therespective connected device connected to that second direct-attach cableconnector and via that second direct-attach cable connector when thatsecond direct-attach cable connector is connected to that respectiveconnected device, second data transmission information that isassociated with the transmission of data between that respectiveconnected device and that second direct-attach cable connector; andprovide a visual indication that is based on the second datatransmission information.
 11. The direct-attach cable of claim 8,wherein the first visual indicator device includes at least one LightEmitting Device (LED) that is configured to illuminate to provide thevisual indication.
 12. The direct-attach cable of claim 8, wherein thedirect-attach cable is provided by one of: a passive Direct-AttachCopper (DAC) cable; an active DAC cable; or an Active Optical Cable(AOC).
 13. The direct-attach cable of claim 8, wherein the first visualindicator device extends around a circumference of the direct-attachcable.
 14. A method for providing data transmission visual indicationsvia a direct-attach cable, comprising: coupling, by a firstdirect-attach cable connector that is located on a first end of adirect-attach cable, to a port on a networking device; receiving, by afirst visual indicator device that is included on the direct-attachcable adjacent to and spaced apart from the first direct-attach cableconnector and from the networking device via the port and the firstdirect-attach cable connector, first data transmission information thatis associated with the transmission of data via the port; and providing,by the first visual indicator device, a visual indication that is basedon the first data transmission information.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the direct-attach cable includes a breakout portion having aplurality of second ends of the direct-attach cable that are oppositethe direct-attach cable from the first end.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising: coupling, by a respective second direct-attach cableconnector located on each of the plurality of second ends of thedirect-attach cable, to a respective connected device; receiving, by arespective second visual indicator device that is included on thebreakout portion of the direct-attach cable adjacent to and spaced apartfrom each second direct-attach cable connector, second data transmissioninformation that is associated with the transmission of data betweenthat second direct-attach cable connector and the respective connecteddevice connected to that second direct-attach cable connector; andproviding, by each respective second visual indicator device, a visualindication that is based on the second data transmission information.17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first visual indicator deviceincludes at least one Light Emitting Device (LED) that illuminates toprovide the visual indication.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein thedirect-attach cable is provided by one of: a passive Direct-AttachCopper (DAC) cable; an active DAC cable; or an Active Optical Cable(AOC).
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first visual indicatordevice extends around a circumference of the direct-attach cable. 20.The method of claim 14, wherein the networking device includes and thatis configure to receiving, from the networking device by a second visualindicator device that is included on the networking device and that islocated adjacent the port, the data transmission information that isassociated with the transmission of data via the port; and providing, bythe second visual indicator device, a visual indication that is based onthe data transmission information.